CHINESE COMPANY OUT AS BUYER OF WESTMINSTER CHOIR COLLEGE

Contacts:
Dr. Jeffrey Halpern, AAUP, 609-937-8981
Dr. Joel Phillips, AAUP,  609-851-3627

David Lerner, Riptide Communications 917-612-5657 

Rider University's Effort to Sell Westminster Choir College to a For-profit Company Fails 

AAUP Welcomes Development but Warns Against Proposal to Move WCC to Main Campus

Lawrenceville, New Jersey. July 1st, 2019 - The Rider University Chapter of the AAUP is gratified by today’s announcement by Rider University President Gregory Dell’Omo that the attempt to sell Westminster Choir College to a for profit company has ended and all of the faculty layoff notices have been rescinded. We once again urge President Dell’Omo and the Rider Board of Trustees to work with all of the stakeholders to build a bright future for this wonderful icon of American Musical Higher Education consistent with Rider’s stewardship obligations. The AAUP stands ready to work with all the other stakeholders to effectuate that outcome.

Unfortunately, today’s announcement included the news that President Dell’Omo and the Board are planning to move the Westminster programs to the Lawrenceville campus by Fall 2020. We are very concerned that given that the Lawrenceville campus lacks the specialized facilities that the Westminster programs require, such a move may entail the effective destruction of those programs. We therefore urge President Dell’Omo and the Board of Trustees, to work with the AAUP and all other stakeholders to develop a plan that will insure the long-term survival of Westminster Choir College as the world class music school that it presently is.